Quilting Fever

Do I miss it?  Yes but it's only been a few days!  I'm spending some precious days and nights with my daughter and newest grandson, Parker.  Because she's nursing, I'm not much help in the baby department but I can cook, clean and change dirty diapers!  

Lily is an excellent housekeeper so there's not much to do in that department but look what I found in her hall closet!

Woohoo!  I am off and running!

Quilts for West TX

Judy, from Patchwork Times put out a request to help the people of West, TX with donation quilts.    http://www.patchworktimes.com/category/quilts-for-west/.   If you'd like to participate, please visit the link and check it out.   It is for a really good cause.

My newest diversion

Well, I've been a tad distracted lately.   My youngest daughter took a painting class with her friends while very pregnant.  

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She is the one on the far left, can you tell?   All their paintings turned out uniquely different but yet all the same.  It was a fun evening and a good distraction (hers, not mine).  But......three days later I got my distraction

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Here he is - Parker Tam born April 24th weighing in at 6lbs 9oz and 19 1/2" long.   Black hair and eyes and as cute as can be.   Quilting took a back seat.  

  

Hand Embroidered Display Quilt

Finished quilting this hand embroidered quilt top for our church group NP Comforts.  Doris G had the idea to make this and hang it in our church foyer so people would know who we are, ask questions and possibly want to join our group.  Doris will bind this when she gets home and then we'll take it up to the church.   Everyone in the group embroidered a block and Doris put it together. It shows that anyone can do this!

 

Fun Project

A few years ago I was in an apron swap and received a lovely apron made from a tea towel that I use most every day.  Tomorrow my mom and I have been invited to lunch at a friend's house.  Robin did not want us to bring anything so I made her this apron as a thank you.   This was so easy ( of course, I learned a few things NOT to do on the next one) that I will be making a few more!

The picture does not show the ruffle I put on the bottom, don't ask me why!   Since my embroidery machine is out of commission, I cut out and appliqued her initial on the front to personalize it.  I hope she likes hers as much as I like the one I got years ago.

 

Baby Shoes

I found this pattern for baby shoes here 

http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/blog/cloth_shoe.pdf

 and since my newest grandson will make his appearance in the next two weeks, I just had to try it.   

Aren't they cute?   My little Parker will look so cute in these.     And since they weren't too terribly difficult to make, I may just try another pair.   Hug

Embroidered Quilt Block Quilt Top

Finished putting the blocks together this afternoon and it is really striking.   Standing back and looking at it, I see it is going to need a border.   If I can't find the "perfect" print in my stash I will use the green mottled fabric that I framed the blocks in.  Here it is, borderless.

And here is a close up of one of the blocks.   Isn't it pretty?

When I begin the quilting, it will be my first attempt at custom quilting in the blank blocks.   I sure don't want to take away from the embroidered blocks.   Wish me luck.

 

Busy weekend!

It feels great to have accomplished so much this weekend, all while going to my grandson's baseball game.  First I finished the cancer donation quilt.   I had sewn the jelly roll together many months ago and it sat in my "what do I do with this pile?".  

 And this is the back.

It's not fancy but its full of color and someone should love it!   At least the money it draws goes toward a good cause.   More in a few minutes!

Trudie.
 

New Weighted Blanket

Got up around 3am to the thought of "why haven't I done that weighted blanket for my friend Sandy's grandson?   Sandy owns a great quilt shop here in Joshua and donated fabric for about 60 pillowcases for my church group's Christmas project.  In talking, I found out she has a grandson who is autistic and needed a weighted blanket.   These blankets contain small beads that are used in bean bags to give weight to them making the children feel secure.   It took me several tries to get a method that works for me and this is what I came up with.  

 This is a close up of the blanket where you can more clearly see the pockets.  

I sew up lots of pockets about 3x4" filled with the beads and then put them in the quilt sandwich.  They are so heavy and really put a drag on my machine but other than that, they are not hard to make.   I've heard they cost upwards of $200 or more.   The foster care program that first approached me about doing them cannot afford those prices, thus I volunteer.  If you've ever had any experience sewing these, I'd love to hear how you do them, pros and cons.  Thanks

I hope your Easter weekend is full of blessings as we remember the sacrifice made for us by our Lord and Savior!

 

Oh man!

I just realized my last seven posts were put on the wrong blog!   Now to figure out how to copy them here!    Bummer